Former Charter Manager Sentenced

Michelle Scott pleaded guilty in March to second-degree felony theft for diverting nearly half a million dollars from Westside Academy. The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas sentenced her earlier this month to four to six years in prison. She will serve mandatory post-release control for 18 months to three years after release.

The Ohio Auditor of State issued findings on October 7, totaling more than $480,000 in recovery. This amount includes $363,000 ordered as criminal restitution. The remaining balance covers $116,000 in improper tuition reimbursements, tax penalties, and interest. Scott had paid $3,000 toward the court-ordered restitution as of the report date.

Westside Academy is a public charter school located in Columbus' Hilltop area. The auditor's Special Investigations Unit opened a probe in March 2023 following a complaint about suspected theft. Scott worked for the school from 2012 until she resigned in September 2022.

Investigators determined Scott redirected 19 vendor payments into her personal bank accounts. These transfers totaled nearly $270,000. Of that sum, $162,000 was recorded as payments to FuelEd, a provider of online foreign language courses. The audit found Scott altered bank routing and account information to direct these funds to an account she owned.

The school discovered the discrepancy in January 2023, months after Scott left. The Academy attempted a $17,500 payment to FuelEd, but the vendor reported the money never arrived. Investigators also found Scott changed credit card statements to hide personal spending. One $2,000 hotel charge was modified to look like a purchase from Micro Center.

The report cited a lack of oversight and concentration of responsibilities. Scott could authorize electronic transfers despite a policy requiring director approval. She also processed payments and made credit card purchases without review by other employees. The audit noted that laptops, computers, tablets, and phones she purchased could not be located at the Academy and were not related to school operations.

An exit conference was held on October 7 for individuals representing the Academy. The audit calls for stronger enforcement of reimbursement rules and better documentation of purchases.